U.S. patent number 6,070,742 [Application Number 09/181,289] was granted by the patent office on 2000-06-06 for multi-segment, nesting, low profile cable management arm.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dell USA, L.P.. Invention is credited to Christopher S. Beall, Andrew L. McAnally.
United States Patent |
6,070,742 |
McAnally , et al. |
June 6, 2000 |
Multi-segment, nesting, low profile cable management arm
Abstract
A foldable cable management apparatus for holding cables in a
rack mounted system. The apparatus includes a plurality of segments
pivotally attached to one another. One or more of the plurality of
segments include cable trays for holding the cables and include
cable fasteners. One or more of the plurality of segments is
adapted to nest with other segments so that the combined depth of
the apparatus is less than the sum of the depths of the individual
segments. In a three segment embodiment, a first segment of the
plurality of segments is pivotally attached to a first attachment
plate, the first attachment plate securing the first segment to a
rack and also pivotally attached to a second segment of the
plurality of segments, which in turn is pivotally attached to a
third segment of the plurality of segments, the third segment being
pivotally attached to a rack mounted component, wherein the cable
tray of the third segment substantially fits within the depth of
the second segment and adjacent to the channel formed in the second
segment when the third segment is folded into the second
segment.
Inventors: |
McAnally; Andrew L.
(Georgetown, TX), Beall; Christopher S. (Houston, TX) |
Assignee: |
Dell USA, L.P. (Round Rock,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
22663647 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/181,289 |
Filed: |
October 28, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/26; 361/727;
361/826 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K
7/1491 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H05K
7/14 (20060101); A47F 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;211/26 ;312/265.1,265.4
;361/725,727,826,827 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
"AMP Introduces WIMS For Flexible, Modular Cable Management," Nov.
6, 1996, 2 pages, Http://www.amp.com/fiberoptics/wims.html. .
"Cable Management Glossary of Terms," 2 pages,
Http://www.tritelchicago.com/equipment/data/glossary.html..
|
Primary Examiner: Gibson, Jr.; Robert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Skjerven, Morrill, MacPherson,
Franklin & Friel, LLP Terrile; Stephen A. Van Leeuwen; Joseph
T.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A foldable cable management apparatus for holding a plurality of
cables, said apparatus comprising:
a plurality of segments, ones of the plurality of segments
including a cable tray and having an end pivotally attached to an
end of another of the plurality of segments; and
wherein one of the plurality of segments is adapted to receive
another of the plurality of segments so that the depth of the
received segment substantially fits within the depth of the one of
the plurality of segments.
2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a first attachment plate pivotally connected to an end of one of
the plurality of segments wherein the first attachment plate
secures the apparatus to a rack;
a second attachment plate pivotally connected to an end of one of
the plurality of segments wherein the second attachment plate
secures the apparatus to a rack mounted component.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a cable fastener attached to at least one of the plurality of
segments, the cable fastener adapted to hold a plurality of cables
in the cable tray.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the cable fastener
is a hook-and-loop type fastener.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a first segment of the plurality of segments, a first end of the
first segment pivotally attached to a first attachment plate, the
first attachment plate securing the first segment to a rack;
a second segment of the plurality of segments, a first end of the
second segment pivotally attached to a second end of the first
segment, the cable tray of the second segment including a channel
adapted to receive cables from the cable tray of the first
segment;
a third segment of the plurality of segments, a first end of the
third segment pivotally attached to a second end of the second
segment and a second end of the third segment pivotally attached to
a second attachment plate, the second attachment plate securing the
third segment to a rack mounted component, wherein the cable tray
of the third segment substantially fits within the depth of the
second segment and adjacent to the channel formed in the second
segment when the third segment is folded into the second
segment.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the cable tray of
the first and second segments hold cables on a same facing side
when the apparatus is folded and on opposite facing sides when the
apparatus is extended, and wherein the cable tray of the second and
third segments hold cables on opposite facing sides when the third
segment is folded into the second segment and on a same facing side
when the apparatus is extended.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising:
two cable channels formed on the same side of the second segment,
each cable channel extending substantially from the first end of
the second segment to the second end of the second segment, one of
the two cable channels formed on the upper portion of the second
segment and the other formed on the lower portion of the second
segment;
a receiving channel formed on the second segment on the opposite
side from the two cable channels, the receiving channel formed
between the two cable channels and extending substantially from the
first end of the second segment to the second end of the second
segment, wherein the receiving channel is adapted to receive the
width and depth of the third segment when the third segment is
folded into the second segment.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising:
a fully extended position, wherein the apparatus is substantially
straight and wherein the length of the apparatus is substantially
equal to the sum of the lengths of the segments;
a folded position, wherein the segments are substantially parallel
to one another, the length of the apparatus is substantially equal
to the longest of the three segments, and the depth of the
apparatus is less than the sum of the depths of the segments.
9. A computer system comprising:
a component;
a rack in which the component is slidably mounted;
a cable management apparatus, the cable management apparatus
including:
a plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments having
an end pivotally attached to an end of another of the plurality of
segments and each of the plurality of segments including a cable
tray;
wherein one of the plurality of segments is adapted to receive
another of the plurality of segments so that the depth of the
received segment substantially fits within the depth of the one of
the plurality of segments.
10. The computer system as recited in claim 9, further
comprising:
a first attachment plate pivotally connected to an end of one of
the plurality of segments wherein the first attachment plate
secures the apparatus to a rack;
a second attachment plate pivotally connected to an end of one of
the plurality of segments wherein the second attachment plate
secures the apparatus to a rack mounted component.
11. The computer system as recited in claim 9, further
comprising:
a cable fastener attached to at least one of the plurality of
segments, the cable fastener adapted to hold a plurality of cables
in the cable tray.
12. The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the cable
fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener.
13. The computer system as recited in claim 9, further
comprising:
a first segment of the plurality of segments, a first end of the
first segment pivotally attached to a first attachment plate, the
first attachment plate securing the first segment to a rack;
a second segment of the plurality of segments, a first end of the
second segment pivotally attached to a second end of the first
segment, the cable tray of the second segment including a channel
adapted to receive cables from the cable tray of the first
segment;
a third segment of the plurality of segments, a first end of the
third segment pivotally attached to a second end of the second
segment and a second end of the third segment pivotally attached to
a second attachment plate, the second attachment plate securing the
third segment to a rack mounted component, wherein the cable tray
of the third segment substantially fits within the depth of the
second segment and adjacent to the channel formed in the second
segment when the third segment is folded into the second
segment.
14. The computer system as recited in claim 13, wherein the cable
tray of the first and second segments hold cables on a same facing
side when the apparatus is folded and on opposite facing sides when
the apparatus is extended, and wherein the cable tray of the second
and third segments hold cables on opposite facing sides when the
third segment is folded into the second segment and on a same
facing side when the apparatus is extended.
15. The computer system as recited in claim 13, further
comprising:
two cable channels formed on the same side of the second segment,
each cable channel extending substantially from the first end of
the second segment to the second end of the second segment, one of
the two cable channels formed on the upper portion of the second
segment and the other formed on the lower portion of the second
segment;
a receiving channel formed on the second segment on the opposite
side from the two cable channels, the receiving channel formed
between the two cable channels and extending substantially from the
first end of the second segment to the second end of the second
segment, wherein the receiving channel is adapted to receive the
width and depth of the third segment when the third segment is
folded into the second segment.
16. The computer system as recited in claim 13, further
comprising:
a fully extended position, wherein the apparatus is substantially
straight and wherein the length of the apparatus is substantially
equal to the sum of the lengths of the segments;
a folded position, wherein the segments are substantially parallel
to one another, the length of the apparatus is substantially equal
to the longest of the three segments, and the depth of the
apparatus is less than the sum of the depths of the segments.
17. A method for sliding a computer component mounted in a rack
comprising:
providing a foldable cable management apparatus for holding a
plurality of cables, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of
segments, ones of the plurality of segments including a cable tray
and having an end pivotally attached to an end of another of the
plurality of segments; and
providing one of the plurality of segments adapted to receive
another of the plurality of segments so that the depth of the
received segment substantially fits within the depth of the one of
the plurality of segments.
18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:
attaching one end of a cable management apparatus to the rack and
attaching the other end of the cable managment apparatus to the
component.
19. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:
pulling the component from a rearwardly retracted operating
position to a forwardly extended component access position;
pivoting a plurality of segments within the cable management
apparatus responsive to the pulling.
20. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:
extending a cable along the ones of the plurality of segments
including a cable tray.
21. A foldable cable management apparatus with three segments for
holding a plurality of cables, said apparatus comprising:
a first segment;
a second segment, one end of the second segment pivotally attached
to one end of the first segment;
a third segment, one end of the third segment pivotally attached to
the other end of the second segment;
wherein one of the three segments fits within a depth of another of
the three segments when the cable managment apparatus is in a
rearwardly retracted operating position.
22. The apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein one of the three
segments fits within a channel formed in another of the three
segments when the cable managment apparatus is in a rearwardly
retracted operating position.
23. The apparatus as recited in claim 21 further comprising:
two cable channels formed on the same side of the second segment,
each cable channel extending substantially from the one end of the
second segment to the other end of the second segment, one of the
two cable channels formed on the upper portion of the second
segment and the other formed on the lower portion of the second
segment;
a receiving channel formed on the second segment on the opposite
side of the second segment from the two cable channels, the
receiving channel formed between the two cable channels and
extending substantially from the first end of the second segment to
the second end of the second segment, wherein the receiving channel
is adapted to receive the width and depth of the third segment when
the third segment is pivoted into the second segment.
24. The apparatus as recited in claim 21, further comprising:
a forwardly extended component access position, wherein the
apparatus is substantially straight and wherein the length of the
apparatus is substantially equal to the sum of the lengths of the
segments;
a rearwardly retracted operating position, wherein the segments are
substantially parallel to one another, the length of the apparatus
is substantially equal to the longest of the three segments, and
the depth of the apparatus is less than the sum of the depths of
the segments.
25. The apparatus as recited in claim 21, further comprising:
a first attachment plate pivotally connected to an end of the first
segment wherein the first attachment plate secures the apparatus to
a rack;
a second attachment plate pivotally connected to an end of the
third segment wherein the second attachment plate secures the
apparatus to a rack mounted component.
26. The apparatus as recited in claim 21, further comprising:
cable fasteners attached to each segment, the cable fasteners
adapted to hold a plurality of cables.
27. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein the cable
fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The present invention generally relates to rack-mounted computer
systems, and more particularly relates to cable-arm assemblies used
with rack-mounted computer systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer systems are often mounted in rack-mounted structures.
Rack-mounted structures enable computer components to be installed
vertically, taking up less floor space in a computer operations
area. Multiple rack-mounted structures can be installed in a
computer area allowing for growth and flexibility of the components
installed. Rack-mounted structures are typically vertical with
individual components mounted in with side mounted slides that
attach to the rack. The individual components can then be slid into
and out of the rack. In this manner, the individual components can
be accessed for repairing the unit, providing upgrades, configuring
the unit, connecting the unit to other components, and other
tasks.
Rack-mounted systems are typically air-cooled so ventilation is
provided by having air pass through the individual components,
often through the individual component from the front of the
component to the back of the component. In this way, other
components above and below the individual component will not block
the air flow through the unit.
Some of the individual components often included in a rack system
include servers, other computers, and direct access storage
devices, such as disk drives and RAID subsystems. Access to
components is provided by the slidable structure attached to the
internal frame portion of the rack. In this way, components can be
moved to a forwardly extended component access position for
servicing. When not being serviced, the component is moved to a
rearwardly retracted operating position.
Each component generally has a variety of cables attaching the
component to power sources, communication networks, and other
components. Each component generally has at least one power cable
which provides power to the component's power supply. Components
also have cables connecting the unit with other components both
inside and outside the rack. For example, a typical computer system
component connects to a video display device for an operator to
view the operation of the computer system, a printer for printing,
a network adapter for communicating with other computer systems on
a local area network (LAN), a modem for connecting to other
computers over the telephone system, external storage devices such
as disk drives, RAID drives, optical disks, and tape drives. Each
of these connections usually involves attaching a cable to the
component. These connections are usually made at the back of the
unit by connecting the cable to connectors provided on interface
cards installed in the computer or connectors provided on the back
of the individual component.
All these connections can lead to a large quantity of cables
connecting to individual components as well as large numbers of
cables within the rack. The components in the rack slide to a
forwardly extended component access position and slide back to a
rearwardly retracted operating position, cables are extended to an
additional length so the component can be slid to the forwardly
extended component access position without the cables snagging or
becoming removed from the component. Likewise, when a particular
component is moved to the rearwardly retracted operating position,
the excess length of cables needs to be handled so that they do not
become entangled with cables attached to other components above and
below the particular component.
Cable arms are often provided to provide a structure to which the
cables are fastened. FIG. 1 shows a prior art cable arm 100 which
is commonly used. Prior art cable arm 100 includes a first prior
art segment 110 and a second prior art segment 120. Prior art hinge
130 attaches first prior art segment 110 to second prior art
segment 120 so that when component 140 is in the rearwardly
retracted operating position, prior art hinge 130 allows the back
of first prior art segment 110 to be substantially flat against the
back of second prior art segment 120. A hinge attaches first prior
art segment 110 to rack 160 while prior art hinge 170 attaches
second prior art segment 120 to component 140. Cables 150 attach to
component 140, extend along front side of second prior art segment
120, wrap around prior art hinge 130, and extend along front side
of first prior art segment 110 before reaching the back of rack
160.
Prior art cable arm 100 allows component to be forwardly extended
to a length not exceeding the length of prior art cable arm 100.
Prior art cable arm 100 in turn is limited to a maximum length of
twice the interior width of rack 160. A challenge in the use of
prior art cable arm 100 is a difficulty encountered in extending
component 140 enough to adequately work on a component. Adding
additional segments to prior art cable arm 100 poses additional
challenges as additional hinged segments restrict cables 150 from
wrapping from segments 110 and 120 to additional segments.
Another challenge is encountered when the arm is extended by adding
segments without greatly increasing the depth taken by prior art
cable arm 100 in rack 160 when the component is in the rearwardly
retracted operating position. Limited space is often provided
between the back of component 140 and the back of rack 160. This
limited amount of space may prohibit a deeper cable arm with
additional segments from being used because component 140 would not
be able to completely reach a rearwardly retracted operating
position.
It is desirable to provide a longer cable arm without greatly
increasing the depth of the cable arm. It is further desirable to
allow cables to wrap from segment to segment with minimal
restriction.
SUMMARY
A cable arm of the present invention is extended in length by
allowing more than two segments in a cable arm connecting a rack to
a component mounted in a computer rack. Segments of the cable arm
overlap or fit within one another to reduce the depth requirement
of the cable arm when the component is pushed into the rearwardly
retracted operating position. Cables wrap around the pivotal
connections between the segments and are secured using cable
fasteners. Cable channels are provided on segments for guiding and
supporting the cables. By using more than two segments, the
component can be moved into a forwardly extended component access
position allowing more room to access and service the component
than is provided by cable arms with only two segments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous
objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in
the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective of a prior art two segment cable managment
arm.
FIG. 2 is a perspective of the cable management arm of the present
invention attached to a component and a rack in a forwardly
extended component access position.
FIG. 3 is a perspective of the cable managment arm of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective of the cable managment arm with cables.
FIG. 5 perspective of the cable managment arm extended in a
forwardly extended component access position with cables attached
to the cable managment arm.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the cable management arm.
FIG. 7 is a back view of the cable management arm.
FIG. 8A is a front view of the first segment of the cable
management arm.
FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the first segment of the cable
management arm.
FIG. 9A is a front view of the second segment of the cable
management arm.
FIG. 9B is a back view of the second segment of the cable
management arm.
FIG. 9C is a bottom view of the second segment of the cable
management arm.
FIG. 9D is a cross sectional view of the second segment of the
cable management arm.
FIG. 10A is a bottom view of the third segment of the cable
management arm.
FIG. 10B is a front view of the third segment of the cable
management arm.
FIG. 10C is a cross sectional view of the third segment of the
cable management arm.
FIG. 11 is a perspective of a folded cable management arm.
FIG. 12 is a perspective of the cable management arm extended from
an attached component.
FIG. 13 is a perspective of the cable management arm being folded
into an attached component.
FIG. 14 is a perspective of the cable management arm being folded
into an attached component.
FIG. 15 is a perspective of the cable management arm folded
substantially flat against the back surface of an attached
component.
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings
indicates similar or identical items.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
FIG. 2 shows cable arm 200 attaching component 240 slidably mounted
in rack 250. In one embodiment, cable arm 200 includes three
segments: first segment 210, second segment 220 and third segment
230. In this embodiment, cable arm 200 forms the hypotenuse of a
right triangle when component 240 is in the forwardly extended
component access position (as shown). The back of component 240 and
side of rack 250 form the legs of the right triangle. First segment
210 is pivotally attached to rack 250 while third segment 230 is
pivotally attached to component 240. First segment 210 is also
pivotally attached to second segment 220 and second segment 220 is
pivotally attached to third segment 230. When component 240 is
positioned into rack 250 cable arm 200 becomes Z-shaped as the
segments pivot towards one another.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various
combinations and quantities of first segment 210, second segment
220, and third segment 230 are possible to create cable arms of
various lengths.
FIG. 3 shows cable arm 200 in a Z-shaped intermediate position
between the rearwardly retracted operating position and the
forwardly extended component access position. Rack attachment plate
310 attaches cable arm 200 to rack 250 (not shown) using fasteners,
such as screws or other equivalent attachment structures, engaged
through apertures 315. Rack attachment plate 310 is pivotally
attached to first segment 210 using hinge 320. First segment 210
includes a first cable tray 325 which is formed from first cable
tray upper side 335, first cable tray lower side 340, and first
cable tray surface 345. First segment 210 is pivotally attached to
second segment 220 with hinge 355. Second segment 220 includes two
cable channels, upper cable channel 360 and lower cable channel
365. When cable arm 200 is in the rearwardly retracted operating
position, upper cable channel 360 and lower cable channel 365 face
the same direction as first cable tray surface 345. When cable arm
200 is fully extended in the forwardly extended component access
position, upper cable channel 360 and lower cable channel 365 each
face in the opposite direction as first cable tray surface 345.
Receiving channel 370 is formed by attaching an edge of upper cable
channel 360 a corresponding edge of lower cable channel 365 with a
planar surface. Third segment 230 pivotally attaches to second
segment 220 with a pair of bolt/nut combinations 640 and 650 so
that the width and depth of third segment 230 fits into receiving
channel 370 of second segment 220 when cable arm 200 is in the
rearwardly retracted operating position. Third segment 230 includes
a cable tray formed from third cable tray upper side 380, third
cable tray lower side 385, third cable tray surface 390, and hinge
670. Third cable channel 395 is formed from third cable tray upper
side 380, third cable tray lower side 385, and third cable tray
surface 390 and fits within receiving channel 370. When cable arm
200 is in the rearwardly retracted operating position, the back
side of third cable tray surface 390 rests flat against receiving
channel 370 of second segment 220. In one embodiment, the width of
third cable tray surface 390 is roughly equal to the sum of the
widths of upper cable channel 360 and lower cable channel 365 so
that the same amount of cable can be accommodated by second segment
220 and third segment 230. In one embodiment (not shown), second
segment 220 only has one cable channel 360 which is roughly half
the width of second segment 220 with the other half width being a
receiving plate which is similar to receiving channel 370 but does
not need an opposing side.
FIG. 4 shows the direction cables travel through cable arm 200.
Cables 450 first enter first segment 210 from the back of rack 250
(not shown) and travel along first cable tray surface 345. First
cable tray surface 345 is hidden in this view by back of first
segment 210. After the cables are extended along first cable tray
surface 345, cables 450 are divided into an upper and lower group
with the upper group travelling along upper cable channel 360 and
the lower group travelling along lower cable channel 365. After the
upper and lower group cables are extended along the lengths of
respective upper and lower cable channels (360 and 365), the cables
wrap from second segment 220 to third segment 230 and the upper and
lower group cables combine and travel along third segment 230 along
third cable tray surface 390. As can be seen in FIG. 4, when second
segment 220 is pressed flat against first segment 210 cables 450
pass unencumbered through upper cable channel 360 and lower cable
channel 365.
FIG. 5 shows cable arm 200 in an intermediate forwardly extended
component access position extending away from component 240. In
this view, cable arm 200 is shown disconnected from component 240
so that cables 450 may be seen exiting third segment 230. Component
240 would typically be a pivotally attached to third segment 230
using a hinge or other pivotal apparatus. In FIG. 5 cables 450 are
shown extended along first segment 210 until they enter upper cable
channel 360 and lower cable channel 365 of second segment 220. In
order to enter upper and lower cable channels 360 and 365, the
group of cables are divided with approximately half of the cables
are directed towards the top portion of first cable tray surface
345 and the other half directed towards the lower half of first
cable tray surface 345. From the perspective shown in FIG. 5,
cables 450 cannot be seen extended along upper cable channel 360
and lower cable channel 365 as the cables are hidden by the walls
of the respective cable channels. After cables are extended along
upper and lower cable channels (360 and 365) they bend from the
respective channels to third cable tray surface 390 in third
segment 230. As upper channel 360 and lower channel 365 are on
either side of third cable tray surface 390, the cables from upper
cable channel 360 bend down while the cables from lower cable
channel 365 bend up in order to enter third cable tray surface
390.
FIG. 6 shows a front view of cable arm 200 extended in the
forwardly extended component access position. Rack attachment plate
310 is pivotally attached to first segment 210 with hinge 320.
First segment 210 includes first cable tray surface 345. Cables are
guided and kept from rising above or below first cable tray surface
345 by first cable tray upper side 335 and first cable tray lower
side 340. Two cable fasteners, 610 and 620 are shown extended
vertically across first cable tray surface 345. Cable fasteners can
be formed of a hook and loop type fastener (i.e., Velcro.RTM.),
bungee cords, cable ties, or other known fasteners. In one
embodiment, hook and loop type cable fasteners are used so that the
fastener can be easily removed and refastened in order to more
easily add and subtract cables when reconfiguring or working with
component 240. Cable fasteners 610 and 620 keep cables (not shown)
flat against first cable tray surface 345 and prevent cables from
extending out from first cable tray surface 345. Hinge 355
pivotally connects first segment 210 to second segment 220. From
the view of FIG. 6, the back side of upper and lower cable channels
(360 and 365) is shown above and below receiving channel 370. The
front surface of receiving channel 370 can be seen which will lay
flat against third segment 230 when third segment 230 is pivoted
into second segment 220. The back side of rivets 630, 631, 632, and
633 which connect cable fasteners (not shown) to upper and lower
cable channels (360 and 365) can also be seen. Second segment 220
is pivotally attached to third segment 230 with bolt/nut
combinations 640 and 650. The backside of third cable tray surface
390 can be seen. The back side of rivets 660 and 661 can be seen
which attach cable fasteners (not shown) onto the front surface of
third cable tray surface 390. Hinge 670 attaches to the end of
third segment 230 opposite the end attached to second segment 220.
Hinge 670 allows cable arm 200 to be pivotally attached to a
component (not shown).
FIG. 7 shows the opposite side of cable arm 200 as was shown in
FIG. 6. The backside of cable fasteners 610 and 620, which each
wrap completely around first segment 210, are attached to first
segment 210 with rivets 705 and 706. First segment 210 is pivotally
attached to second segment 220 with hinge 355. Upper cable channel
360 and lower cable channel 365 are visible along with the backside
of receiving channel 370. Upper cable channel 360 includes two
cable fasteners 710 and 720 and lower cable channel also includes
two cable fasteners 730 and 740. Unlike cable fasteners 610 and 620
used with first segment 210, cable fasteners 710, 720, 730 and 740
are contained within their respective channels and do not wrap
completely around second segment 220. Cable fasteners are not
wrapped completely around second segment 220 because wrapping cable
fasteners completely around second segment 220 would block
receiving channel 370 and prevent third segment 230 from folding
into receiving channel 370. Bolt/nut combinations 640 and 650
pivotally connect second segment 220 to third segment 230. The side
edges of upper and lower channels 360 and 365 extend slightly
farther than the floor of the respective receiving channel toward
third segment 230 with an aperture formed in the side edges to
insert bolt/nut combinations 640 and 650. The third cable tray
upper side 380 and third cable tray lower side 385 extend toward
second segment 220 with apertures in each tray side (380 and 385)
to insert bold/nut combinations 640 and 650 and provide a pivotal
attachment between second segment 220 and third segment 230. Cable
fasteners 750 and 760 are contained within third cable channel 395.
Cable fasteners 750 and 760 could be wrapped around third cable
channel 395 but the extra thickness of the cable fasteners would
have to be subtracted from the width of third cable channel 395 so
that third cable channel 395 could fit within receiving channel
370. Hinge 670 is shown attached to third cable tray surface 390
with rivets or other fastening means. Reducing sharp edges on the
fastener portion used on third cable tray surface 390 is helpful in
reducing the risk of cables being torn or damaged.
FIG. 8a shows a front view of first segment 210. Hinge 320 attaches
to a portion of first cable tray surface 345 which extends slightly
from first cable tray surface 345 to provide a surface to mount
hinge 320. The extended portion is essentially a mirror image of
extended portion 810 but cannot be seen because it is covered by
hinge 320. The edge of first cable tray upper side 335 and first
cable tray lower side 340 are shown extending horizontally the
length of first cable tray surface 345. Cable fasteners 610 and 620
are shown extending vertically across first cable tray 325. In one
embodiment, cable fasteners 610 and 620 wrap completely around
first segment 210. Hinge loops 820 are attached to extended portion
810 and provide loops to insert hinge pin (not shown) to attach
first segment 210 to second segment 220 (not shown).
FIG. 8b shows a cross sectional view along the cross sectional line
8b--8b from FIG. 8a without cable fasteners 610 and 620 being
attached. Cable tray 325 of first segment 210 is seen as U-shaped
with first cable tray upper side 335 and first cable tray lower
side 340 extending vertically from first cable tray surface
345.
FIG. 9a shows a front view of second segment 220. Hinge section 910
corresponds with hinge loops 820 from first segment 210 so that
hinge section 910 can be inserted into hinge loops 820 (see FIG.
8a) and pivotally fastened with a hinge pin (not shown). Hinge
section 910 extend from hinge plate 920 which is attached to
receiving channel 370 using fasteners such as rivets. Receiving
channel 370 extends outward from upper cable channel 360 and lower
cable channel 365 and hinge plate 920 is attached to the extended
portion. Upper cable channel 360 and lower cable channel 365 extend
horizontally along the upper and lower portions of second segment
220. Within each cable channel, cable fasteners (710, 720, 730, and
740) are attached using rivets or other fasteners so that cable
fasteners can loop around cables and keep the cables within the
respective cable channel. Upper cable channel 360 and lower cable
channel 365 extend outward from receiving channel 370 with the
sides of the respective cable channels extending outward slightly
past the floor of the cable channels with apertures in each cable
channel side surface to allow bolt/nut combinations 640 and 650 to
be inserted and fastened across the width of the respective cable
channel. Receiving channel 370 is elevated so that the floor of
receiving channel 370 is the same height as the walls forming cable
channels 360 and 365. FIG. 9d shows a cross sectional view of
second segment 220 along the cross sectional line 9d--9d.
FIG. 9b shows a back view of second segment 220. Back sides of
cable channels 360 and 365 extend along the upper and lower
portions of second
segment 220. Receiving channel 370 is now inset so that the floor
of receiving channel 370 is lower than the back side of cable
channels 360 and 365. Hinge section 910 extend from the edge of
receiving channel 370 for connecting second segment 220 to first
segment 210.
FIG. 9c shows a bottom view of second segment 220 shown with front
side (FIG. 9a) facing up. Edge and side of lower cable channel 365
is seen with a profile slightly lower than receiving channel 370.
Back of receiving channel 370 is shown as the upper most surface of
second segment 220. Receiving channel 370 is also shown protruding
horizontally out from lower cable channel 365. Hinge plate 920 (not
shown) is attached to the top surface (i.e., the backside) of the
protruding horizontal surface of receiving channel 370. Top of bolt
or nut from bolt/nut combination 650 can be seen as it is inserted
into apertures in side walls forming lower cable channel 365.
FIG. 9d shows a cross sectional view of second segment 220 from the
cross sectional line 9d--9d in FIG. 9a. Upper channel 360 is
U-shaped with an outside wall 930, floor 940, and inside wall 950.
Lower channel 365 is also U-shaped with an outside wall 960, floor
970, and inside wall 980. Receiving channel 370 is in an
upside-down U-shape with first inside wall 985 being common with
inside wall 950 and second inside wall 990 being common with inside
wall 980. Floor 995 of receiving channel 370 is a planar surface
connecting inside wall 985 with inside wall 990.
Turning to FIG. 10a, a bottom view of third segment 230 is shown.
Third cable tray lower side 385 is seen with apertures 1010 and
1015 (not shown) used for pivotally attaching third segment 230
with second segment 220 using bolt/nut combinations 640 and 650
(not shown). The opposite end of cable tray lower side 385 is
angled to allow cables to exit third cable tray 395. Hinge 670 is
used to pivotally attach third segment 230 to a component (not
shown).
FIG. 10b shows a front view of third segment 230. Third cable tray
upper side 380 is shown along the upper edge of third segment 230
and third cable tray lower side 385 is shown along the lower edge
of third segment 230 with third cable tray surface 390 connecting
the respective sides. Third cable tray upper side 380 and third
cable tray lower side 385 extend on the aperture (1010 and 1015)
side of third segment 230 beyond third cable tray surface 390.
Cable fasteners 750 and 760 are contained within third cable
channel 395. Half of hinge 670 is visible with the other half
connected to the back of third cable tray surface 390 to pivotally
connect third segment 230 with a component (not shown).
FIG. 10c shows a cross section of third segment 230 from the cross
sectional line 10c--10c shown in FIG. 10b. The cross section shows
that third segment 230 is substantially U-shaped with the bottom of
the U formed from third cable tray surface 390 and the sides of the
U formed from third cable tray upper side 380 and third cable tray
lower side 385. The outside width w.sub.0 of third segment 230 is
formed to fit within the interior width w.sub.i shown in FIG. 9b
for second segment 220.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective of a folded cable arm 200. FIG. 11
shows how cable arm 200 would appear from a component (not shown).
FIG. 15, shows the opposite perspective of folded cable arm 200 as
normally viewed from the back of a rack towards component 240.
Cables (not shown) would normally enter cable arm 200 in first
cable tray 325 (hidden in FIG. 11, see FIG. 15 to view first cable
tray 325 in folded cable arm 200) of first segment 210 at the end
of first cable tray 325 near rack attachment plate 310. Cables
would extend along first cable tray 325 and divide into an upper
and a lower group of cables. The upper group of cables would wrap
around end of first segment 210 near hinge 345 (not shown) and bend
up into upper cable channel 360. Lower group of cables would wrap
around end of first segment 210 near hinge 345 (not shown) and bend
down into lower cable channel 365. Cables would then extend along
the upper and lower cable channels 360 and 365 until reaching the
ends of the cable channels near bolt/nut combinations 640 and 650.
The upper and lower groups of cables would then wrap around and
enter third cable tray 395 of third segment 230 which is nested in
receiving channel 370. The cables extend along third cable tray 395
until they reach the component (not shown) which is attached to
hinge 340.
FIGS. 12 through 15 show perspectives of cable arm 200 folding
against the back of component 240. FIG. 12 shows cable arm extended
from component 240 in a forwardly extended component access
position. FIG. 13 shows component as it is pushed into rack (not
shown) where the angles between pivotally connected segments (210,
220, and 230) of cable arm 200 become more acute. FIG. 14 shows
component being pushed further into rack whereby the angles between
pivotally connected segments is more acute. Finally, in FIG. 15
component 240 is moved to a rearwardly retracted operating position
and cable arm 200 is compressed so that segments 210, 220, and 230
essentially lie flat against one another.
FIG. 15 shows cable arm 200 folded against back of component 240.
Cables (not shown) enter cable arm 200 from rack (not shown) at
rack attachment plate 310. Cables extend along first cable channel
325 before wrapping into upper and lower cable channels 360 and
365. Cables then extend along upper and lower cable channels 360
and 365 until reaching bolt/nut combinations 640 and 650. Cables
then wrap around end of second segment 220 and enter third cable
tray 395 (not shown). Cables extend along third cable tray 395
before attaching to component 240.
The description of the invention set forth herein is illustrative
and not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth
in the following claims. Variations and modifications of the
embodiments disclosed herein may be made based on the descriptions
set forth herein, without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *